United Healthcare HMO dentist

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Anyone have the name of a good dentist that accepts United Healthcare HMO insurance - (The Villages system)? Thanks for your input. Jimmie

[DEWRDW]

I hope there are some responses to this thread - we are in the same plan - very little to choose from - if you look in the provider directory - there doesn't appear to be anyone in Sumter County - Aspen and Coast is included and a few others in Lake and Marion - I don't think dental is a priority with this plan!

[tln1947]

i was given the dentist in wildwood when i called and asked United Health. It is called Wildwood Smiles. I have an apt Feb 26.

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i was given the dentist in wildwood when i called and asked United Health. It is called Wildwood Smiles. I have an apt Feb 26.


Does anyone have any additional suggestions for a dentist that will accept United Healthcare HMO insurance (The Villages system)? Jimmie

[NotGolfer]

i was given the dentist in wildwood when i called and asked United Health. It is called Wildwood Smiles. I have an apt Feb 26.


Does anyone have any additional suggestions for a dentist that will accept United Healthcare HMO insurance (The Villages system)? Jimmie

I was given this practice as well. Didn't want to go to Aspen....there's too many negative posts on TOTV about that business. Hoping Wildwood Smiles is the real deal as the options are minimal. I will go there for my check and cleaning so Ins. pays for it. IF they find something that needs fixing I may go elsewhere for that since we'd have to pay out of pocket!

[Love2cruise]

I was given this practice as well. Didn't want to go to Aspen....there's too many negative posts on TOTV about that business. Hoping Wildwood Smiles is the real deal as the options are minimal. I will go there for my check and cleaning so Ins. pays for it. IF they find something that needs fixing I may go elsewhere for that since we'd have to pay out of pocket!

I don't have any suggestions for you but would you be so kind to let us know how it went after your appointment.

[mikeandnancy1112]

I have gone to both and will never set foot in either office again. There was a posting of a dentist at the Santa Fe Shopping Plaza on 466 and I plan to call them.

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"I have gone to both and will never set foot in either office again. There was a posting of a dentist at the Santa Fe Shopping Plaza on 466 and I plan to call them."

That's pretty strong - please tell us why you would not set foot in either office.
Wildwood Smiles doesn't seem to have a lot of bad reviews. Jimmie

[Mango47]

"I have gone to both and will never set foot in either office again. There was a posting of a dentist at the Santa Fe Shopping Plaza on 466 and I plan to call them."

I would also like to know the reasoning behind the above comments - please explain. It would also be helpful if you would disclose the name of the dentist at the Santa Fe Shopping Plaza. Mango

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I have gone to both and will never set foot in either office again. There was a posting of a dentist at the Santa Fe Shopping Plaza on 466 and I plan to call them.


We still want to know why you will not set foot into either office again. Jimmie

[Villages PL]

Here's the problem, in my opinion. HMO dentists have to accept very low payments for their work. If they had a good going business, they wouldn't need to work for an HMO. Why do they do it? Do they lack experience?

I went to an HMO dentist once to get a tooth pulled. He had a very difficult time with it. He called for a hammer and chisel and I could feel the vibrations going through my skull as he hammered away. Was he doing something wrong? I don't know.

While waiting in his wating room, a woman showed me several teeth that he had implanted in her mouth. They just looked odd, very odd. They didn't look at all real.

And I think the dentist gives the worst hygienist to those who belong to an HMO. They are a little rough and might not be all that experienced.

These dentists have at least 3 levels of cleaning that they do. If you need level one cleaning, then it's paid for by the HMO. If you need level 2, then you likely will have to pay the whole bill yourself and it will be a higher price than what the HMO would have paid. So, naturally, they will try to kick you up to a higher level. It almost has the feel of a "bait & switch" scheme.

Also, there may be a tendency for the dentist to look for extra work in your mouth. Dentists, in my opinion, will wait 'til summer when business is slow and then suggest that you need someting done. And that might be especially true for HMO dentists.

I decided, several years ago, to forget about going to an HMO dentist. I believe you only get what you pay for. I'm going to a regular dentist in The Villages and paying full price out of my own pocket. And I'm very satisfied.

[Love2cruise]

Here's the problem, in my opinion. HMO dentists have to accept very low payments for their work. If they had a good going business, they wouldn't need to work for an HMO. Why do they do it? Do they lack experience?

I went to an HMO dentist once to get a tooth pulled. He had a very difficult time with it. He called for a hammer and chisel and I could feel the vibrations going through my skull as he hammered away. Was he doing something wrong? I don't know.

While waiting in his wating room, a woman showed me several teeth that he had implanted in her mouth. They just looked odd, very odd. They didn't look at all real.

And I think the dentist gives the worst hygienist to those who belong to an HMO. They are a little rough and might not be all that experienced.

These dentists have at least 3 levels of cleaning that they do. If you need level one cleaning, then it's paid for by the HMO. If you need level 2, then you likely will have to pay the whole bill yourself and it will be a higher price than what the HMO would have paid. So, naturally, they will try to kick you up to a higher level. It almost has the feel of a "bait & switch" scheme.

Also, there may be a tendency for the dentist to look for extra work in your mouth. Dentists, in my opinion, will wait 'til summer when business is slow and then suggest that you need someting done. And that might be especially true for HMO dentists.

I decided, several years ago, to forget about going to an HMO dentist. I believe you only get what you pay for. I'm going to a regular dentist in The Villages and paying full price out of my own pocket. And I'm very satisfied.

Very valid points you made. I never thought of it like that. I for one hate going to the dentist and if a dentist asked for a hammer I would have been out of there in a flash. We are new here and looking for a good dentist, would you. Ind sharing who you go to. Thanks.

[NotGolfer]

I had PCP for our supplemental before this year...never had their dentist "find" extra work in my mouth. "IF" that would happen...I guess I'd do what I posted before, go and find a 2nd opinion.